Pleased to see there is $79m going to preventing our people ending up in prisons and a decent commitment of $2 billion going to the family incomes package.
The surprise in the Budget for me was the rail investment of $450m.
Theresa McLean, 18, John Paul College head girl
I'm disappointed with the low amount that's being spent on the environment. I wish more money had been allocated to that, as an area I am passionate about. I just hope that despite that local councils and community will be able to work together to make sure it's addressed and that commitment will be enough.
I am stoked though by the growth in education and the additional help for tertiary students. I will be going to university next year and every bit helps.
I'm really happy about the changes to mental health. I'm glad the Government is starting to take notice, because when they start talking about it so will the rest of the community.
Although housing issues are clearly prevalent in Auckland, I would have liked to see more action taken for the regions. Rotorua included, there are lots of areas around the country also struggling.
Russell Hallam, 72, Rotorua Grey Power president
In terms of housing, outside of Auckland I didn't really see anything. Because we're generally living longer the over 65 percentile is growing and the number of people over 55 who don't own their own homes is growing substantially.
Although we perpetuate this idea that elderly people don't care, we are just as concerned about young people and we support any programme that will help them into their first home. I'm pleased the Accommodation Supplement has been recognised, I'm not sure how that will affect our older population on a fixed income.
I'm not happy at all with the low increase to Superannuation, it doesn't cover the other increases. Taxes have changed, so we may see benefit from that, but at a glance I don't see much in this Budget for the older person.
Only the mental health funding is ring-fenced, so I'd like to see the DHB use the funding that is proportioned for elective surgery in particular to be given to that.
Anna Simmons, 38, nurse and mum of two
The changes to family tax credits are interesting, but I don't see that it will make a huge difference. $20 sure would get extra groceries, but I'm disgusted that beneficiaries have a greater potential weekly increase.
That's effectively my tax, paying for their benefit. I understand that there are people who need it, but that's my hard-earned money. They need an incentive to go out and work. I'm all for supporting pensioners and students through accommodation supplements, but not those that aren't working. I'd like to see programmes that see people get back into work, rather than the benefit just becoming their lifestyle.
I'd like to see the funding in health services go to the front line. As long as it's spent inappropriately then it's great. Mental health in particular is hugely underfunded and it's great to see the money it's now getting.
The education investment is really important, I have two young children and I want to see them have the best start in life.
Steve Holmes, 42, single, no children
To me, people lack the motivation and drive to work so I think the $54m to improve access to services and the $73m towards at-risk children is important. It's also positive to see the lower income tax brackets change, because earning more money in employment than on the benefit is a good motivator.
It's pretty awesome to see the investment into mental health, and to see the education and youth sectors really benefit in this year's Budget.
